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N Giving ttie Titles of all Spalding Athletic Library Books now 
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No. 2. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL FOOT BALL GUIDE 

No. 6, SPALDING'S OFFICIAL ICE HOCKEY GUIDE 

No. 7. SPALDING'S OFHCIAL BASKET BALL GUIDE. . . . 
No. 7A. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL WOMEN'S BASKET BALL GUIDE. 
No. 9. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL INDOOR BASE BALL GUIDE. , 
No. 12 A. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL ATHLETIC RULES. . , . 

No. IR. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL ATBLEilC ALMANAC. . . . 

No. 3R. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL GOLF GUIDE 

No. 55R. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL SOCCER FOOT BALL GUIDE. . 
No. 57R. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL LAWN TENNIS ANNUAL. . . 
No. 59R. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL BASE BALL RECORD. . . . 
No. 31R. SPALDING'S INTERNATIONAL POLO GUIDE. . . . 

Groap I. 



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No. 202 
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No 226 
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No. 
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No. 350 



Base Ball 

Spalding's Official Base Ball 

G%ude 
How to Play Base Ball 
Ready Reckoner of Base Ball 
How to Bat [Percentages 
How to Play the Outfield 
How to Play First Base 
How to Play Second Base 
How to Play Third Base 
How to Play Shortstop 
How to Catch 
How to Pitch 
How to Run Bases 

f How to Organize a Base Ball 

League [Club 

How to Organize a Base EaU 

How to Manage a Base Ball 

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I How to Captain a Base Ball 

I Team 
How to Umpire a Game 

LTechnical Base Ball Terms 
How to Score 



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No. 2 Spalding's Official Foot Ball 

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FOOT BALL AUXILIARIES 
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Guide 
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No. 157 How to Play Lawn Tennis 

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No. 6 Spalding's Official Ice Hockey 

Guide 
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No. 7 Spalding's Official Basket Ball 

Guide 
No. 7a Spalding's Official Women's 

Basket Ball Guide 
No. 193 How to Play Basket Ball 

Group VIII. Lacrosse 

No. 201 How to Play Lacrosse 



(Continued on the next page.) 



ANY OF THE ABOVE BOOKS MAILED POSTPAID UPON RECEIPT OF 10 CENTS 

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SPALDING ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Groap IX. Indoor Base Ball 

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No. 12a Spalding's Official Athletic 

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No. 259 How to Become a Weight 

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No. 317 Marathon Running 
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No. 342 Walking for Health and Com- 
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No. 302 Y. M. C. A. Official Handbook 
No. 313 Public Schools Athletic 

League Official Handbook 
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Group XIII. Athletic Accomplishments 

No. 23 Canoeing 

No. 128 How to Row 

No. 178 How to Train for Bicycling 

No. 209 How to Become a Skater 

No. 282 Roller Skating Guide 



Group XIV. Manly Sports 

No. 29 Pulley Weight Exercises 

No. 102 Ground Tumbling 

No, 143 Indian Clubs and Dumb Bella 

No. 165 Fencing (By Senac) 

No. 191 How to Punch the Bag 

No. 262 Medicine Ball Exercises 

No. 289 Tumbling for Amateurs 



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Gymnastics 



No. 124 
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No. 254 

No. 287 



How to Become a Gymnast 
Graded Calisthenics and 

Dumb Bell Drills 
Barnjum Bar Bell Drill 
Fancy Dumb Bell and March- 
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GYMNASTIC AUXILIARY 
No. 345 Official Handbook I. C. A. A. 
Gymnasts of America 



Group XVI. 



Physical Culture 



No. 149 Scientific Physical Training 

and Care of the Body 
No. 161 Ten Minutes' Exercise for 

Busy Men 
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No. 234 School Tactics and Maze Run- 
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No. 238 Muscle Building 
No. 285 Health by Muscular Gym- 
No. 288 Indigestion Treated by Gym- 
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No. 325 Twenty-Minute Exercises 



Spalding "Green Cover" Primer Series 

No. IP. How to Play Tennis— For Beginners. . By P. A. Vaile. Price 10c. 

No. 2P. How to Learn Goli" By P. A. Vaile. Price 10c. 

No. 3P. How to Become an Athlete. . By James E. Sullivan. Price 10c. 

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No. 9R. How to Live 100 Years. p^.^^^ 25c. 

No. lOR. Single Stick Drill. ^„ • • • Price 25c. 

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No. 22R. How to Swing Indian Clubs p^j^^ 25^.^ 

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No. 38R. Field Hockey. ^ Price 25c. 

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NO.40R. Indoor and Outdoor Gymnastic Games PrScI 250. 

No. 41R. Newcomb. . . ... ;••,•-• Price 25c. 

^lil: Kg"LSr„Xcie,^SSHocW.iaw„-Wes. Lice |5c. 

No 44R. How to Wrestle. ••,••,;•, Price 25c. 

NoilsR. Intercollegiate Officia Handbook • • P^|^| gc. 

No 47R How to Play Foot Ball. - ' • '. Pn>P 2.'5c 

No:48R: Distance and Cross Country Running. .^ Price ic! 

/—No. 49R. How to Bowl. . • ; p^ce 25c. 

No. 50R. Court Games Price 25c. 

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N0.31R. Spalding's International Polo Guiae 

■ 12-16-U 

•Published annually. 




Copyright, 1914, by American Sports Publishins Company. 

P. A. VAILE 



B. F. McManus, Photo. 



Spalding's Primer Series 
No. 1 



THE 

TENNIS PRIMER 



BY 

P. A. VAILE 

AUTHOR OF 

'Modern Lawn Tennis," "Great Lawn Tennis Players, 

"The Strokes and Science of Lawn Tennis," 

"The Soul of Golf," "Modern Golf," 

Etc. 



/ 



Published by 
AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING COMPANY 

21 Warren Street, New York 

Ponograph 






^^s 



Copyright, 1915 

BY 

American Sports Publishing Company 
New York 



^ 0,/d 

M 24 1915 

©CIA4n6414 



Spalding's athletic library. 



Contents 

PAGE 

Introduction 4 

Foreword 5 

Description of the Game 7 

How to Make and Keep a Court 17 

Implements and Dress 31 

The Grip of the Eacket 33 

The Game 37 

The Service 41 

The Forehand Stroke 43 

Tlie Backhand Stroke 47 

The Single Game 50 

The Eeturn of the Service 51 

The Double Game 52 

Synopsis of the Laws of the Game 53 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



Introduction 

The wonderful popularity of The Strokes and Science 
OF Lawn Tennis has induced the American Sports Pub- 
lishing Company to commission the author, ^Ir. P. A. 
Vaile, to write a more rudimentary treatise. ^Ir, A'aile's 
fame as an authority on sport is world-wide. This is his 
fourth- book on Tennis, his other works on the game 
in addition to "The Strokes and Science of Lawn Tennis/' 
beinff "Modern Lawn Tennis" and "Great Lawn Tennis 
Players." In addition to these, i\Ir. Vaile has also written 
(inter alia) "Modern Golf," "The Soul of Golf," and 
"Swerve or the Flight of the Ball." 

Mr. Vaile's knowledge of tactics has brought him world- 
wide recognition and in his French translation of "Modern 
Lawn Tennis/' Max Decugis, then champion of France, 
tells how he defeated A. W. Gore, then champion of Eng- 
land, for the championship of London, by following the 
tactics which Mr. Vaile had laid down for him. 

The publishers are convinced that if the lessons taught 
by ]\[r. Vaile in this book and in "The Strokes and Science 
of Lawn Tennis" are properly learned, they will have 
a very great and beneficial effect on Tennis in America. 



Spalding's athletic library. 



Foreword 

Although this book is called "The Tennis Primer/' I 
hope that it will prove of great use to the most expert 
tennis players, for few of them have a backhand drive. I 
have herein paid special attention to this branch of the 
g^ime, for the execution of this stroke is almost a lost art, 
and there is no reason why it should be so if players will 
take the trouble to study carefully the photographs given 
in illustration of this very fine drive. 

P. A. Vaile. 



















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SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



Description of the Game 

Tennis is played by two or four persons. When two 
persons play the game it is called a Single, when four, a 
Double. When the game is played by men it is called a 
Men's Single or Men's Double, as the case maybe. When 
by ladies, or as they say in America, women, it is called, in 
England, a Ladies' Double, in America, a Women's Double. 
When a lady and a man play a similarly constituted pair, 
it is called a Mixed Double. 

The size of the Court for the single game is 78 feet by 
27 feet. The Double Court is 78 feet by 36 feet. 

The game is played with rackets, or, as they are some- 
times called bats, and balls, and it consists of a series of 
"rests," or "rallies." A "rest" signifies the number of 
times a ball has been played backwards and forwards con- 
secutively over the net. That is to say, a rest consists of 
the play which ensues from the time a good service leaves 
the racket of the server until the ball is dead. 

A net runs across the court in the middle, parallel with 
the base lines and dividing the court into two equal spaces. 
The ball is played from one side of this net to the other 
until one of the players fails to return it into the oppo- 
nent's court. Either side scores a point when the opposing 
side fails to return the ball into the opponent's court. 



8 Spalding's athletic library. 

This point may be obtained by one's opponent failing to hit 
tlie ball, by hitting it into the net, or by the ball falling 
out of the opponent's court. The object of the game of 
Tennis is, therefore, to place or drive the ball into the 




Plate 1. 

THE GRIP OF THE RACKET. 

The best way to learn the forehand grip is to lay the racket on 
the table as shown in Plate 1. Then proceed as shown in fol- 
lowing plates. 

opponent's court in such a manner as to prevent him from 
returning it into one's own court. 

The person who puts the ball in play is called the Server. 
lie throws the ball up as specified and hits it across the net 
into the service court diagonally opposite. 



Spalding's athletic library. 9 

After the Server lias done this each side must strike the 
ball alternatel}^^ hitting it before it touches the ground, in 
which case the stroke is called a ^S^olley/' or, if it has 
struck the ground, a "ground stroke." 




FOREHAND GRIP. 

Open the hand. Place it under the racket handle, as shown, so that 
the handle of the racket and the forearm are in the same line. 



It must be remembered that one must not volley the 
service; that is to say, the service must not be struck 
before it touches the ground. The 2Dlayer who does this 
loses the stroke. All balls other than the service may be 
either volle3^ed or played off the ground. 



10 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



The first point, or ace, won by either side is called 15-love 
and if each side wins one of the first two points it is called 
'''15-all/^ 

The server's score is always called first, so that the score 




<,&^ 



Plate .'>. 

FOREHAND GRIP. 

Now let the hand turn sufficiently to the side, as shown in 
Plate 3, to grip the racket. 



would in the foregoing case be called "15-love" or "love-15" 
and "15-all," according to whether the server or his oppo- 
nent wins the first stroke. "Love," in tennis scoring, 
means nothing. 

If the server wins the first two strokes, the score is 



Spalding's athletic library. 



11 



"30-love." If his opponent wins the next one it is "30-15." 
If the server loses the next one the game is "oO-all." 

It will thus be seen that the first two strokes are given 
a value of 15 each. The third stroke is assessed at 10^ so 




Plate U. 

FOREHAND GRIP. 

Close the hand round the racket. This gives the proper fore- 
hand grip used by the greatest players of modern times, and also 
of those who made the history of the game before the present 
unsound English grip was introduced. 



that if "30-air' has been called and the server wins the 
next point the score is called 40-30. Should the receiver, 
or striker-out, as he is generally called, win the next point 
after "30-all/' the score would be called 30-40. 



12 Spalding's athletic library. 

A game is won b}' either side when four aces or points 
have been scored, unless each side wins three points, which 
means "40-all,'' but is always called "Deuce." 

At Deuce it is necessary for either side to win two con- 
secutive strokes before the game is won. so that once the 




Plate 5. 

FRONT VIEW OF FOREHAND GRIP. 

Notice that the arm and handle are in the same Hne. This is' 
most important. Notice also that the leather is in the hand, 
which is unusual now. It is, however, the old grip, and forehand 
or backhand, is still probably the best. 

score has gone to deuce neither side can win by the result 
of one "rest.'' 

If, when the score is deuce, the server wins the next 
ace, it is "'vantage in." Should he then win the next. 



Spalding's athletic library. 13 

the game is his, but should he lose it the game goes back 
to deuce and both he and his opponent require to score 
two consecutive strokes before the game is won, so that if 
the score is '^'vantage in/' the receiver must score three 
successive strokes to win. He wants one to bring it back 




Plate 6. 

THE BACKHAND GRIP. 

The principle of the arm and racket handle being in the same 
line, or at least in the same plane of force is well exemplified here. 

to deuce, a second to take it to a " 'vantage, out," and tlie 
third for "game." 

After the first game is won the receiver becomes the 
server, and so on alternately. The score is always called 
with the server's score first. When the games are equal 



14 Spalding's athletic library. 

they are called "1-all/' "2-all/' "S-all," and so on, but if 
it is "5-all/' either side must win two games in succession 
before the set is won. The games in scoring are not called 
"deuce" or "'vantage"; "5-all/' or "6-5," would be called, 
but the same rules apply as in the case of deuce or 'vantage 




Plate 7. 

ALTERNATIVE BACKHAND GRIP. 

Many players put the thumb up the back of the handle for the 
backhand stroke. I always do when driving, but not so habitually 
when volleying. It is not necessary, but I believe it aids direction. 

in the game; for instance, if the score is 5-6 in a set, the 
server would require to win one game to bring the score 
to 6-all, and then he would have to win two more games, 
consecutively, before the set would go to him. 



Spalding's athletic library. 15 

There is no fixed rule as to what constitutes a match. 
Any club or tournament committee may settle the point 
for themselves. Matches are, however, usually the best two 
of three sets. 

Men's championship matches are generally decided on 




Plate 8. 

FRONT VIEW OF BACKHAND GRIP. 

This shows how the racket appears from the front. Notice the 
arm and handle in the same plane and the leather at the end of 
the handle in the hand. This allows much greater freedom of 
wrist action than if the end of the racket protrudes. 

the best of five sets. The side which shows 3-2, 3-1 or 
3 -love, in sets, winning. 

Matches in which women play are always decided by 
the best of three sets. 



16 Spalding's athletic library. 

The ball in service must never be volleyed, that is, hit 
before it strikes the ground; but the receiver must wait 
until the ball has hit the ground before he can strike it. 

The game is played on a variety of courts — grass, sand, 
dirt, asphalt, cement, wood and others — but there is no 
court so suitable for the game as grass. 

Great care should be taken in laying out a court to allow 
plenty of room all around it. 

I have designedly dropped the prefix "lawn" in dealing 
with the game. The time has come for it to take its proper 
place and leave the older game, which is comparatively 
unknown, to adopt some distinctive title. 



Spalding's athletic library. 17 

How to Make and Keep a Court 

I have laid out a considerable number of grass courts 
and my advice to any one who wants to do the same thing 
is to get some person who makes it his business to do it for 
him if he can afford it. If he cannot, or if he wants the 
work and "fun," I must try to help him. I have already 
given the plan and dimensions of the single and double 
courts, so I shall address myself here merely to the ques- 
tion of construction. 

These are general instructions, and must, of course, in 
many cases, be subject to local conditions. See that the 
site which you select is protected from the prevailing winds, 
if you can conveniently arrange it so by taking advantage 
of any natural shelter, but on no account have any trees, 
particularly deciduous trees; near it. 

Having selected your site, you must lay down your side 
line and measure out your court. Now comes the impor- 
tant matter of settling your levels, and I don't mind tell- 
ing you that I generally employed a surveyor to do it for 
me. If you cannot get a surveyor you can manage it for 
yourself by driving in a stake or two with a straight-edge 
nailed on at a right angle, putting a spirit-level on that, and 
repeating the operation with the other stakes. You will 
have to level from* stake to stake by another straight-edge 
and level, which I am afraid you will find rather tedious. 



18 Spalding's athletic library. 

I —- """ — ~~ — ^ ~—~ — —^ 




/ 




Plate 9. 

THE SERVICE. 

It is advisable to hold two balls in the hand when serving. Later 
one may hold more if desired. Practically, more than two tend 
to interfere with accuracy of placing the ball in the air for the 
delivery of the service. The racket starts low down so as to 
get momentum for the stroke. 



Spalding's athletic library. 19 

You must endeavor to lay out your court so that the 
sun will pass as nearly as may be across it in the same 
line as the net. 

Having got your levels, the next thing will be to reduce 
the ground. If you are adding the soil to make the lawn, 
you will simply have to straighten out the ground roughly 
and spread your soil on top. You must be careful to get 
good soil free from weeds. 

If you are using the soil already there, you must, if 
your excavation would take 3^ou into poor soil, lay back 
the good soil on each side, level up the subsoil and spread 
the good soil again. You must then see that it is thor- 
oughly pulverized and raked, and every sign of a weed 
must be taken out. When you have gone thoroughly over 
it, and raked it until there ds not a nut or a weed in it, you 
may sow it. Here I must leave you to the tender mercies 
of your seedsman with the warning to avoid clover as you 
would sin, and to use nothing but fine lawn grasses suitable 
for your district and climate. 

In sowing you must be careful to spread the seed well 
with a free circular sweep of the hand, which releases the 
seed equally at all portions of its passage; in fact, unless 
you know how to do it, again you had better get some one 
who does. Whatever you do, be generous with the seed. 
Put on 50 per cent more than the seedsman tells you to 
rather than 10 per cent less. You should sow when the 



20 



Spalding's athletic library. 



"1 




Plate 10. 
SERVING. 



n 



Note carefully weight mamly on right foot, now shifting to left: 
teet a most at right angle, right ankle and knee bent to give the 
snap; left arm and shoulder high up, right arm and shoulder low 
down (as m cricket or base ball when delivering the ball) while 
the body is bent back a little from the waist. 



Spalding's athletic library, 21 

ground is dry, then roll well with an ordinary roller. You 
can run a brush or bough over the lawn so as to sweep all 
seeds into the soil, or rake lightly again. Then roll once 
more, and Nature will do the rest. 

This is really a very general direction, but it is hard to 
be more specific, as the conditions in each case vary so 
much; but whatever you do take no notice of the local 
quidnunc who advises you to have clover because it is always 
so nice and green, like the balls will be and he is, or some 
other kind of grass because it is so soft, as he apparently 
thinks you are. 

You may, of course, want to turf your lawn. Good turf 
is in many places quite impossible to get. We will assume, 
however, that you can get it and that you have levelled 
out your lawn and the surrounding ground. You must be 
careful to see that it is well drained. In some cases it will 
be right without anything further. In others you will have 
to tile-drain it. Here again I am afraid you will want the 
tradesman, as so few amateurs can do this properly. 

You should have at least ten inches of good soil above 
the sub-soil before you think of putting down your turf, 
and it stands to reason that this must be perfectly and 
equally consolidated all over, otherwise you will have 
trouble with your turf. See that all your turf is of an 
even thickness. After the turf is laid it has to be well 
trodden or rammed and then lightly rolled. You must 



22 



Spalding's athletic library. 



.-/' 







j^ 

.»** 



ii^L^ 



Plate 11. 
FOREHAND DRIVE WITH LIFT. 



This shows the swing back for this stroke. The weight is mainly 
on the right foot. 



Spalding's athletic library. 23 

now leave it alone for a while to settle, and then in a few 
weeks, when it has "gripped" the soil, you may put a 
heavier roller on to it. During the first two or three weeks, 
if there is not much rain, you should have the sprayer 
going on the lawn. 

Always keep the grass closely mown. If you allow it to 
grow long it becomes rank and thick at the roots, and this 
spoils a lawn. You can hardly cut a tennis lawn too close. 
I can remember nearly getting into trouble with a very 
worthy secretary of my club, who thought half an inch of 
grass made it "nice and soft for the feet," by making him 
an offer for the "grazing" on the lawns. He could not 
understand that you cannot cut a lawn too closely unless 
you scrape the earth up. 

Shortly after the end of your season it is well to give the 
base lines some attention. Possibly they will want top- 
dressing and re-sowing, or they will perhaps, in the case of 
the turfed lawn, want re-turfing. In the case of a lawn 
where the seed has been grown on it, especially in its first 
year, it is a good plan to give it a top-dressing of an inch 
or so of good soil similar to that which was used in putting 
it down and to treat this with a liberal application of some 
of the superphosphate or bone manures so liberally adver- 
tised nowadays. 

Water your court in the cool of the evening, never in 
the heat of the day. Keep the roller and the mower going. 



24 



Spalding's athletic library. 




Plate 12. 

FINISH OF FOREHAND DRIVE WITH LIFT. 

Note carefully how the forearm and racket have turned over. 
This turn, however, does not take place until after the ball has 
been struck. 



Spalding's athletic library. 25 

These are the three chief factors in obtaining and keeping 
a good surface after you have once got over the initial 
difficulties. Carefully remove all weeds as soon as they 
make their appearance. 

Hard Courts. — There are so many different kinds of 
hard courts that I cannot attempt fully to describe each 
one. I shall therefore give general directions which are 
really applicable to nearly all hard courts except such as 
asphalt, cement, or concrete. 

For practically all hard courts the following directions 
will be found to answer: Excavate the soil for a depth of 
eight inches over the area which you intend to put down. 
Level the surface. Lay down about five or six inches of 
large gravel, broken brick, or any other stone or cinder which 
you care to use as a foundation. Every stone in this should 
be of such a size that it will pass through a two-inch ring. 
Have this thoroughly raked and levelled. Then roll it 
with a heavy roller — the heavier the better. Two and a 
half tons is not too heavy if your sub-soil will stand it, 
Eoll it thoroughly, and do not water it. This will put it 
down very considerably. 

Now put down an inch and a half to two inches of 
gravel, cinder, burnt clay, or whatever you are using, that 
is about half the size of the foundation. Have this 
spread a shovelful at a time and sown with a good semi- 
circular sweep of the shoveL so as to distribute it evenly. 



26 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 




Plate 13. 

FOREHAND CUT DRIVE. 

The racket in this case passes rapidly across the ball from right 
to left. It is the natural stroke to play on a low ball. 



Spalding's athletic library. 27 

Sweep it well into the interstices between the large 
stones. Do this thoroughly. Then have it raked and 
smoothed and dry-roll it heavily and well. 

N'ow you have a very solid bed, and you must start to 
put on your top. Let this consist of very small gravel, 
cinder, or stone chips. They must be small enough to 
readily sweep in between the interstices in the last layer 
and present a smooth surface. '^^Sow" this as before. 
Sweep it well in as it is put down. Give it a good dressing, 
and now put your water on. Don't flood it, but give it a 
good drenching all over, so as to wash the chips down 
between the larger stones. Now for the first time you 
wet-roll it, and you can hardly give it too much. 

You ought now to have a good surface, but if you are 
not thoroughly satisfied with it you must, when it has dried 
and set. give it another dressing of smaller chips that are 
almost dust. Sweep these well in and water them copiously, 
Then roll again as heavily as you like. If you are making 
a sand court, your last layer would consist of, say, an inch 
and a half to two inches of sand, but it would then be well 
to have some lime or some similar substance to mix with 
it, otherwise it will probably not bind well unless it is 
fairly coarse. 

You must not make the mistake of putting down too 
much dust on the court Your final dressing should be 
small chips in preference to dust, for if your last layer is 



28 



Spalding's athletic library. 




Plate iJt. 
FOREHAND CUT DRIVE. 
A little later in the same stroke. Note the racket already be- 
ginning to turn, also the grip, which allows the greatest possible 
freedom for the wrist. 



Spalding's athletic library. 29 

too fine it merely sinks between the larger stones or rubble 
and is in dry weather a cushion of dust and in wet a pad 
of mud, so that your court will not consolidate at all, and 
it will be as great a failure as a court as was the Thames 
Embankment as a road until it was paved. 

In each layer you must see that you have your stones 
carefully graded. They should be as nearly as possible of 
uniform size. It is a good idea to have your court several 
inches higher down the centre than at the sides. This 
allows the water to run off freely. 

Unless your site is naturally fairly well drained you 
should tile-drain it before you put down your foundations, 
or if you do not you can make your "floor" slope to 
some given point and put in a few pipes to carry off any 
soakage. 

These are necessarily very general directions, but the 
principles are sound and will be found to answer here if 
intelligently carried out, even as they do in road-making, 
for that is what they amount to. They are practically the 
scientific method of road-making which is so generally 
neglected throughout England. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 




Plate 15. 
FINISH OF FOREHAND CUT DRIVE. 
Note here that the forearm and racket have not turned over as 
in the forehand hfting drive. The tendency is quite in the othe? 
direction This return, especially from left blck court to left 
back court produces a low swerving ball with an ugly break 



Spalding's athletic library. 31 

Implements and Dress 

Do not get a cheap racket. Most cheap rackets are in 
the long run very expensive. If yon do not understand 
how to choose a racket yourself, you should endeavor to 
get someone who does know. A man should use a racket 
from 14 to 141/2 ounces. For ladies 13 ounces is right. 

I am a great believer in knickerbockers for all athletic 
games and in the Southern hemisphere they are used by 
^ome players. The climatic conditions in the Northern 
hemisphere make it almost impossible to use them with 
comfort. No athletic game can be played to the best advan- 
tage in trousers, because they bind at the knee. Can we, for 
instance, imagine a base ball team playing base ball in 
trousers? But there can be little doubt that trousers are 
most convenient and comfortable, although by no means 
the most suitable for tennis. 

It is of great importance that one should be lightly and 
tightly shod. One should not, of course, have one's shoes 
so tight as to cause inconvenience, but it is impossible to 
start quickly in loose shoes and it is a point of consider- 
able importance to have the least possible weight to carry 
about on one's feet. A lady player should have the skirt 
so short and light that it does not impede her progress 
on the court. Hard courts require a heavier shoe than is 
needed for grass. 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 




Plate 16. 

THE BACKHAND DRIVE. 

Plate 16 shows the beginning of the stroke, which is most im- 
portant. It starts at the elbow. The following series of pic- 
tures is the most complete explanation of the backhand drive 
that has ever been given. 



Spalding's athletic library. 33 



The Grip of the Racket 

A proper grip of the racket is of the utmost importance 
to the game; in fact, it may be said to be the foundation 
of the game. 

There is one outstanding principle which one must 
absolutely bear in mind in connection with the grip of 
the racket, and that is. at the time of striking the ball^ the 
forearm and the handle of the racket must be in one and 
the same straight line. That is to sa}', if the forearm were 
continued in a line, it would run straight on to the handle 
of the racket. In many cases, the whole of the arm, from 
the shoulder, and the racket are in the same line or plane. 
This is particularly so in the backhand stroke. 

There are of course many cases where the racket and 
the forearm are not in the same line, but when this is so, 
as in some portions of the backhand stroke, the arm and 
the racket handle are moving in the same direction, or, to 
put it more accurately, in the same plane. 

It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of this 
fundamental principle. In England it is customary to 
play with the hand much ' more toward the side of the 
handle than is usual in America. The moment this is done 
one sacrifices power and direction. 

If one desires to push a person forward, one would 



34 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 




Plate 17. 

THE BACKHAND DRIVE. 

This plate shows very clearly the elbow movement which takes 
the racket back. Note that the weight is on the left leg. 



Spalding's athletic libraky. 35 

naturally go behind him to do so^. It is exactly the same 
with the racket. We desire to propel the ball with the 
racket, therefore we must be behind the racket to get the 
best result. 

This is true of every stroke in the game and, when I 
say we must be behind the racket, it must be understood 
that I speak principally of the position of the hand on 
the racket handle, although as a matter of fact, in nearly 
every stroke in tennis the player is behind the ball, so far 
as regards the distance from the opponent. 



SPALDING S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 




Plate 18. 

THE BACKHAND DRIVE. 

A back view showing weight on left leg and the manner in 
which the racket swings back in the backhand drive. 



Spalding's athletic library. 37 



The Game 

It is important to remember that one must keep one's 
eye on the ball until one has hit it, and one should try to 
hit the ball absolutely ini the centre of the racket — if one 
may use the term "centre" of the racket. 

It is very important not to get too near to the ball, 
either in the line of its flight and bound or laterally. 

A beginner should start by letting the ball bound so 
that it will fall to the second bound about two feet or two 
feet six inches to the right of the left foot; then he can 
hit it shortly before it would strike the ground the 
second time if he did not play it. This is the fundamental 
ground stroke in tennis. Of course the whole theory of mod- 
ern tennis is to attack the ball at or before the top of the 
bound, but the fundamental ground stroke in tennis is to 
get the ball on the racket with the racket face upwards, so 
that the ball bounds off the racket as it would off a table, 
placed at an angle of say 40 degrees. This is the stroke 
which gives the player the lob and from it come the other 
strokes in the game. 

One thing which is of the utmost importance to 
remember is, that at the time of making every stroke the 
racket should be held very firmly. 

Playing with a loose wrist is one of the commonest 



38 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 




Plate 19. 
THE BACKHAND DRIVE. 



This plate shows the racket coming forward on to the ball, also 
the weight being transferred to the right leg. 



Spalding's athletic library. 39 

errors in tennis. There is no stroke in tennis which may 
be played with a loose wrist. All the delicacy and finesse 
which is shown in the game, although it is ascribed to the 
wrist, really comes from the turn of the forearm, the wrist 
being, in practically all cases, fairly rigid, and in many as 
firm as if cast in steel. 

Between the strokes, the player will, of course, relax 
his hold of the racket, so as not unduly to strain his 
muscles, and he will when waiting for the service naturally 
carry the racket in both hands supporting it at the 
splice with his left hand. 

It is important in tennis to swing well back before one 
hits the ball and also to follow well through after the 
ball, transferring one's weight, in the act of striking the 
ball, on the forehand from the right foot to the left in the 
case of the right-handed player and reversely in the case 
of the left-handed player. 



I 



SPALDING^S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 




Plate 20. 

THE BACKHAND DRIVE. 

A side viev/ showing how far in front of the player the backhand 
stroke is played as compared with the forehand. This position 
in photographs always looks constrained. The stroke really is the 
most graceful in the game, and, as in the cinematograph pictures 
of a galloping horse, the individual positions are not discernible. 
Note carefully the position of elbow, wrist, feet, and the bend 
of the body which gives room for a full swing of the racket. 



Spalding's athletic library. 41 

The Service 

The service is used to put the ball into play, and nowa- 
days it occupies a totally disproportionate place in the 
game, so much so indeed that I should not be surprised to 
see the service court shortened from six inches to a foot, or 
the service rule radically altered. 

The player must get out of his mind any idea whatever 
that he can play tennis with one grip. There are many 
grips in tennis, each one to be used in its own particular 
place, but the same principle runs right through every grip. 

The racket must be held in a straight line with the 
forearm or in the same plane of force with it at the 
moment the blow is being struck. 

Nearly every beginner tries to hit the service down into 
the service court. This is a great mistake. There is no 
necessity to try to hit the service downward. It will 
come down of its own accord if it be hit straight away. 

The beginner should make his fault over the service line. 
He should not put the ball into the net ; there is no neces- 
sity to do so. He should send the ball a foot above the 
net sooner than put it into it. 

In starting the service, the weight should be on the 
right leg. The ball is thrown up well over the right ear 
and struck the moment it comes within reach of the centre 
of the racket. As one is hitting it one's weight is shifted 
to the left foot and the racket is allowed to swing out 
after the ball until it finishes almost touching the ground. 



42 



Spalding's athletic library. 




Plate 21. 
THE BACKHAND DRIVE. 
This plate shows an important position. The forearm and racket 
are turning over and the thumb is beginning to show at the side 
of the racket as it will do if the stroke is played naturally and 
the arm is allowed to follow through without constraint. Unless 
the finish is made in this manner the ball will lack that invaluable 
quality top-spin, for the stroke will not have been properly played. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 43 



The Forehand Stroke 

The forehand stroke is the foundation of the game. No 
one without a good forehand stroke can be really a great 
player. Many players have become famous with practically 
nothing else than a good forehand drive, therefore it is of 
great importance to a player to endeavor to cultivate a good 
forehand. 

I have spoken already of the foundation stroke in 
tennis. Here one almost allows the ball to reach the 
ground on the second bound and then tosses it up, and it 
will not be long before the beginner will see that he wants 
something better than this stroke. 

It is then that he comes to the real forehand drive. 
This stroke is played by bringing the racket up behind the 
ball and striking it an upward blow which can best be 
described as brushing the ball or brushing the racket up 
behind the ball. 

Generally speaking, when the ball is from waist high up 
to the shoulder, the racket-face is at the moment of impact 
vertical, and thus engages the ball, hitting it a smart 
blow and sending it on its way with a large amount of 
top spin on it, which is an invaluable quality in z. passing 
shot. 

It is of importance to remember that in making this 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBEARY. 




Pktif JJ. 

THE BACKHAND DRIVE. 

This is what happens if the thumb is left below the handle and the 
forearm is not allowed to turn naturally. The player becomes 
"locked on the shoulder" and the finish of the stroke is quite 
ruined. Players who finish thus never get *' top " on their ball. 
This finish is a clear indication that the stroke was badly played. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 45 

Btroke or any other stroke in the game, it is adyisable 
always when one can do so to take a short step with the 
foot at the moment one is hitting the ball. On the fore- 
hand the step will be taken with the left foot; on the back- 
hand, with the right foot, and in all cases it should be the 
endeavor of the player so to Judge the distance from the 
ball that this short step will put him into the correct 
position for striking it. 

A player should always aim at acquiring certamty m 
playing balls without puttuig any spin on them. After he 
has" done this l>e n,ay l,og>n to study the intricacies o 
the various spins, which now play such an important part 
in modern Tennis, although in 1904, when these things 
were fullv explained, English players scofEed, because they 
did not understand them, and, on account of their faulty 
.rip of the racket, could not do them. Their lack of 
initiative and their wrong principles have cost thein their 
place in the game. They will never regain it until they 
return to the grips shown in this book. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 




Plate 2S. 

THE BACKHAND DRIVE. 

This plate shows the finish of the backhand drive. Note care- 
fully that the weight has gone on to the right foot, and that 
the arm has turned over until the thumb shows above the handle 
instead of helow it. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBEARY. 47 



The Backhand Stroke 

This stroke is usually made in very bad form. The 
position of the feet is at all times a matter of very great 
importance, but it is especially so in the production of 
the backhand stroke. 

The player, at the time of striking the ball, should have 
the right foot turned toward the net. This gives him the 
opportunity of bending his body sideways when he swings 
back with his racket, so that the racket swings underneath 
his body, and the player also has every opportunity to get 
to the back of the swing, whereas, if he were to face the 
net, his arm would come across his chest and his stroke 
would thus be interfered with. 

The right foot is generally pointing almost where the 
ball is meant to be driven to, for in all drives in tennis 
the finish should be so that the weight of the player's 
body goes in a line down his front foot ; in fact, the finish 
of any stroke in tennis should throw the player into 
the position in which he desires to be in order to start a 
run. This, of course, one would not be if one played 
across one's feet. 

In the backhand stroke, the ball is taken farther from 
the player's body than is the case in the forehand drive. 

The reason for this will be apparent from a study of 



Spalding's athletic library. 




- :.*««*^i^ 



Plate 2k. 
THE BACKHAND DRIVE. 
This shows a good finish of a backhand drive. The weight has 
gone on to the right foot and the follow-through is quite free 
and natural. Observe how the thumb has come up above the 
handle of the racket from its position at impact behind or below 
it. The wrist must be like steel at the finish, and it is indeed as 
firm as a rock throughout the stroke. 



Spalding's athletic library. 49 

the photographs. It is very rare, indeed, to find a tennis 
player with a good backhand drive. 

There is no reason whatever why players should not 
cultivate this stroke and I am certain that anyone care- 
fully following out the instructions given, can acquire 
this most beautiful and effective shot. 

There is only one man in America who can be said to 
really drive the ball on the baclHiand. The reason for 
this is thtit many of the players here have followed the 
English idea of holding the racket off the line of the arm. 
The moment this is done the racket becomes an excrescence 
on the side of the arm. instead of being, as it should, a 
continuation of the arm. 



50 Spalding's athletic library. 



The Sindle Game 

First, of all, cultivate accuracy. After that one may 
begin to improve one's' pace. Length and accuracy are 
the two things which a singles player wants and after one 
has got these one has the right to begin practising for speed. 

It is a great mistake to be too anxious to win off every 
stroke. One should endeavor always to play one's stroke 
so that if one cannot beat one's opponent outright, one 
at least makes him play his stroke so that he is at a dis- 
advantage. 

It is a great mistake to think that one's returns should 
just skim the net. If one plays for this, one will very 
quickly see a large number of them go into the net. One 
should keep firmly in one's mind that, especially with the 
forehand lifting drive, it is possible to drive two feet above 
the net and get a good length fast return. 



Spalding's athletic library. 51 



The Return of the Service 

The two returns which are generally used are a cross- 
court shot or a side-line drive. Especially in doubles, it is 
useful to understand the value of service down the centre 
of the court. This delivery cuts out the side-line shot 
down what is commonly called the alley and there is con- 
siderably less of the angle of the ordinary cross-court phot 
left to one's opponent. 



52 Spalding's athletic library. 



The Double Game 

There are four methods of returning the service in the 
double ganie^ viz. : the Side-line Drive, the Cross-court 
Drive, the Centre Drive and the Lob. 

The centre drive is perhaps the best return in doubles 
and it is most certainly the safest, because there is often 
some doubt as to who should volley the return of the 
service and frequently the ball is inadvertently left; 
off this return the ball is frequently volleyed when it would 
have gone out if not played. 

The side-line drive is made so that the ball travels 
almost parallel with the side line. 

It is a good idea to use this drive occasionally, as it 
prevents the man at the net from getting over too much to 
the centre of the court, and so cutting off the cross-court 
return or centre drive. A clean drive down the side line 
will tell him that he must remain at home. 



Spalding's athletic library. 53 



Synopsis of the Laws of the Game 

The balls which are played with are not to be less than 
2% inches, nor more than 2 9/16 inches in diameter and 
not less than 1 15/16 ounces nor more than 2 ounces in 
weight. 

It is usual to toss to decide who shall serve first or who 
shall have the choice of the courts. Generally the racket 
is tossed and "rough" or "smooth" is called. The "rough" 
side of the racket is where the small colored cross strings 
at each end do not run across in a straight line, but are 
shown coiled around the gut. "Smooth" is the side of the 
racket where this stringing apparently runs in an unbroken 
line from side to side. 

The player who wins the toss has the right to say whether 
he will take the choice of sides or the service. This is a 
matter which is sometimes of considerable importance in 
matches, having regard to sun or wind. 

In serving the player must stand with both feet behind, 
that is, farther from the net than the base line, and 
within the limits of the imaginary continuation of the 
centre service and the side lines. 

He must stand still before he begins to serve. That is, 
he may not walk up and serve without stopping, nor may 
he have both feet off the ground at or immediately before 



54 Spalding's athletic library. 

the moment of striking the ball, nor is he permitted to 
pass one foot over the line at or immediately before the 
moment of striking the ball, even if that foot is in the air 
and does not come down in the court. 

He must not have one or both feet on the base line at 
the moment of serving. He must place both feet on the 
ground immediately before serving and must not take a 
running or walking start. 

He must serve from the right and left courts alternately. 

The ball must drop into the "Service Court/' which is 
diagonally opposite to the half court from which it is 
served. 

It is a good service if the ball drops on any line bounding 
the service court. 

It is a fault if the service is delivered from the wrong 
court or if the server does not stand as already indicated, 
or if the ball served drops in the net or outside the service 
court diagonally opposite as aforesaid. 

If the server misses the ball altogether it does not count 
as a fault, but if the ball be touched, no matter how lightly, 
by the racket, the service is thereby delivered and the laws 
governing the service at once apply. 

The receiver may not take a fault. 

If the server has made a fault, he should serve again 
from the court from which he served the fault, unless it 
was a fault because it was served from the wrong court. 



Spalding's athletic library. 55 

It is not permitted to hit the service before it has struck 
the ground, but it must strike the ground in the service 
court for which it is intended before it can be played. 

The ball is in play from the moment at which it is de- 
livered in service (unless a fault), until it has been volleyed 
by the receiver in his first stroke, or has dropped in the 
net or out of the court, or has touched one of the players 
or anything that he wears or carries, except his racket in 
the act of striking, or has been struck by either of the 
players more than once consecutively, or has been volleyed 
before it has passed over the net, or has failed to pass 
over the net before its first bound, or has touched the 
ground twice consecutively on either side of the net, 
although the second time may be out of court. 

It is a let if the ball in service touches the net, pro- 
vided the service is otherwise good. In this case the stroke 
is played over again without loss to either player. 

Either player loses a stroke if the ball touches him or 
anything that he wears or carries, except his racket in the 
act of striking, or if he volleys the ball, unless he thereby 
makes a good return, no matter whether he is standing 
within the limits of the court or outside; or if he touches 
or strikes the ball more than once consecutively, or if he 
or his racket (in his hand or otherwise) touches the net 
or any of its supports while the ball is in play, or if he 
volleys the ball before it has passed the net. 




MAURICE E. McLOUGHLIN, 
Conqueror of Norman E. Brookes and Anthony F. Wilding in Davis Cup singles. 



What is New in Tennis 

Since the introdnctioa some years ago of the Spalding Gold 
Medal rackets, originally made in two models, it has been our con- 
stant aim to improve and expand this special line of rackets to 
meet the demands and requirements of what we might call the com- 
posite experience of experts from all over the States, Europe and 
Australia. 

Practically every reasonable requirement that can be looked 
for in a racket — stringing, distribution of weight, playing surface, 
grip, shape — is present in the one or the other of the Spalding Gold 
Medal models, and until now we felt sure we had the "last word" 
in racket manufacture. 

We did not sit back and rest on our laurels, however, content 
with what we had accomplished, but, as has always been the Spalding 
custom, strove to excel ourselves, and, in. the new Spalding "Auto- 
graph" racket we feel sure that we have succeeded in producing an 
implement that is unquestionably the finest ever made. Reinforced 
inside the depressed throat with selected rawhide, and outside from 
the shoulders down into the very handle itself, it minimizes to the 
smallest degree the possibility of a broken frame. The upper part of 
the frame is beautifully beveled, and the handle made entirely of 
cedar. The stringing is of the finest grade of lambs' gut, done by the 
most expert stringers in our shops. The racket is highly polished 
and finished in either brown or black. The brown style has brovvu 
throatpiece, brown rawhide reinforcement at shoulders and maroon 
trimming gut. All white stringing, in "expert" style. The black 
style has black throatpiece, black rawhide reinforcement at shoulders 
and black trimming gut. White vertical and black cross strings, in 
"expert" style. Handles are 5, 5i/4 or 5% inches in circumference. 
Price, including a waterproof cover, $10.00. 

The "International" is the 1915 addition to our $8.00 Gold Medal 
models and rounds out the greatest line of high grade rackets ever 
offered to the public. Graceful lines, lots of playing surface and 
raised throatpiece, it gives the player confidence in his strokes as soon 
as he grasps it. 

In addition to the "International," the line of $8.00 rackets in- 
cludes such favorites as the Gold Medal No. GMB, All-Comers, Olympic, 
Model H, and the ever-popular "Hackett and Alexander," each with 
its own particular point of popularity. Excellent rackets, ones that 
were "championship" class only a few years ago, are Models GX, 
DH and EH, which sell at $5.00, while the "Tournament," at $4.00 ; 
♦■.he "Slocum," at $3.50; the Nassau and Lakeside, at $3.00; Oval, 
$2.50; Greenwood, $2.00; Geneva, $1.50, and Favorite, $1.25, are all 
representative of Spalding quality at their respective prices. 



332 SPALDING'S LAWN TENNIS ANNUAL. 

Speed on the court, ability to last, an all-around, well-balanced 
game are three qualities necessary to a good player. The Spalding 
Championship Ball has all these, and wherever it is used we are 
certain our judgment will be confirmed. Made in two weights of 
covers — No. 00 for turf courts and No. OOH for hard courts. The 
latter ball has met with remarkable success on hard courts through- 
out the country, so much so that it is popularly known as the 
"Spalding Hard Court Ball," and was selected as the official ball 
of the Clay Court tournament of 1914, held at Cincinnati, and has 
been again officially adopted for the Clay Court championship of 1915, 
to be held this year on the courts of the Pittsburgh Athletic Asso- 
ciation, June 26 and following days. 

Incidentally, it may be mentioned that the challenge match of 
the Davis Cup tournament of 1914 was played over a Spalding No. 9-0 
championship net. 

For clubs holding tournaments, many articles are now absolute 
necessities that were unknown a few years ago. While nets, posts, and 
all the direct paraphernalia of the game itself must be correct and 
in good shape, the umpire's chair and a scoring tree are just as much 
a part of the setting nowadays as seats for the spectators, and for 
clubs holding tournaments a "club" racket press is most essential. 

To have a favorite racket put out of commission by some "chair 
caner" has more than, once caused the loss of a match, as many 
players can testify. We make a specialty of restringing rackets, 
using the best of materials, and, what is even better, brains. Our 
stringers are men who are employed continually throughout the 
year, not for a few months in the season only — and coming in con- 
tact with the leading players, who naturally go to Spalding's for 
their requirements, these men are in an unequaled position to obtain 
at first hand all the little niceties of stringing that experience has 
shown to be most effective and which goes to make up that "just 
a bit better" that distinguishes the expert from the ordinary player. 
All of which is at the command of our patrons. 

Several players who found the glare of a semi-tropic sun on Southern 
courts most trying during the past winter took a leaf out of the 
base ball player's notebook and used a form of sun-glass invented by 
Manager Fred Clarke of the Pittsburgh National League base ball club 
for the use of outfielders. The arrangement, which is fastened to the 
player's cap or hat, is substantial but not cumbersome, and has a 
hinged attachment which permits the glasses to be turned up out of 
the way when not needed. They cost $10. 

Another novelty is an improvement over the regulation sweatband. 
It consists of a sweatband and visor — or sunshade — combined and 
sells for 75 cents. 

Probably next to the racket a player's shoes are the most important 
part of his equipment, and necessarily so, for an ill-fitting pair is a 
handicap right from the start. A style that has found favor with 



many prominen.t players is the Spalding No. BBH, which is ideal 
for tournament play on turf courts, and fitted with officially approved 
blunt spikes in soles and heels. It is high cut, with finest quality 
kangaroo uppers, white oak soles and spring heels, and sells for $6.00 
per pair. 

For clay court use, No. AB is the most desirable style. It laces 
all the way down to the toe, being just high enough to give support 
to the ankle and yet not bind too tightly. High cut, drab calf, 
Blucher style, with heavy red rubber suction soles. No. AB costs $5.C'0 
per pair. 

A canvas shoe much favored by players who desire something stronger 
than the ordinary type of "sneaker" for clay courts is the Spalding 
No. HH, which is really a high "sneaker" with an extra heavy sole 
of best quality rubber. No. HH costs $2.25 per pair, and low cut, of 
same quality — when it is known, as No. H — costs $2.00 per pair. 

In this connection it is well to call attention to the fact that we 
also resole rubber soled shoes of our own make, the work being done 
in the Spalding shoe factory where the shoes are made. This is a 
convenience that is obvious, and one that other dealers are unable to 
offer. 

Tennis players who contemplate being present — either as contest- 
ants or spectators— at the clay court championships at Pittsburgh in 
June, or the National Championships, to be held this year on the 
courts of the West Side Tennis Club, at Forest Hills, Long Island. 
in August, are invited to make use of the Spalding stores 
in both Pittsburgh and New York as their headquarters. A corps of 
specially selected stringers will be on hand and no effort will be 
spared to make Spalding service coequal with Spalding quality. 



^g^KTHE SPALDING 



TRADEMARK 



GUARANTEES 




Spalding 
^Championship" Lawn Tennis Balls 

Made with two different weights of 
covers — No.OOH, for hard or«clay courts, 
and No. 00, for turf courts. Absolutely 
best in every particular of manufacture 
and made by people who have been 
in our employ, many of them, for 
tw^enty years and over, we place the 
Spalding Championship Tennis Balls 
before the most critical clientele in the 
athletic world with perfect confidence 
that they will give absolute satisfaction. 

No. OOH. For hard courts Dozen, $4.00 

Three balls only, $1.00 One or two balls. Each, 35c 

No. 00. For turf courts Dozen, $4.00 

Three balls only, $1.00 One or two balls. Each, 35c. 

Association Lawn Tennis Balls 

Fine quality rubber with fine grade 
of felt covering. Good tennis ball at 
medium price. . . . Dozen, $3.50 

Tournament Lawn Tennis Balls 

in the manufacture of the Spalding 
Championship Ball only those which 
are absolutely perfect in every par- 
ticular are allowed to pass, and the 
"culls" or **throw-outs*' are stamped 
simply Tournament and do not bear 
the Spalding Trade-Mark. These balls will answer for practice 
or for children's use, but should not be used for match play. 
No. 0. Dozen, $3.00 Each, 25c. 




PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADOJt^SSED TO US 



A.G.SPALDING &. BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



IFOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COjTER 

OF THIS BOOK 



Prices in effect January 5, 1915. Suhjecl Ii>xhAos« witlwit «otic«. For CaiuuUaD price* te« tpecial Canaaiu C«Uloga«# 



^SS^THE SRALDINGlWTRADEnVIARK^Sif 



THE 




GOLD MEDAL AUTOGRAPH RACKETS 

New for 1915 




Either 

BROWN Throat and Trim 

or 

BLACK Throat and Trim 



Special Gut Stringing, different 
and better than ever put be- 
fore in any stock racket, and 
strung by the best men in 
our shops. 



Each, $10.00 

Including 
Waterproof Cover. 



All handles either 5, 5% or 
B^ inches in circumference 

When ordering, specify 
which color throat and 
trim is desired. 



BROWN Style has Brown Throat- 
piece, Brown Rawhide Reinforcement 
at shoulders and Maroon Trimming 
Gut. All White strung in Expert style. 

BLACK Style has Black Throatpiece, Black 
Rawhide Reinforcement at shoulders and 
Black Trimming Gut. White vertical and 
Black cross strings in Expert style. 



PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO I 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADORESSEO TO US 



AG. SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIOE FRONT COVER 

OF THIS BOO! 



Fricet in effect January 5, 1915. Subject to change without notice. F or Can aaian price* *ee tpecial Canadian CaUlocu^JT 



^S^Ke THE SPALDING 



TRADEMARK "^rrri^i 



QUALITY 



Spalding Lawn Tennis Rackets 




No. 
OGM 

Patented 

Januarys, 

1906. 



No. 
GMH 

Patented 

March 6. 

1900. 



GOLD MEDAL 

RACKET 

MODEL H 

DEPRESSED THROAT 

PIECE 

No. GMH. The special de- 
pressed throat piece, a feat- 
ure which we introduced in 
our No. OGM, we are using 
now also in the No. GMH. 
Stringing is double in central 
portion in the popular expert 
style. Handles 5, 5K and 5?3 inches in circum- 
ference. Stringing of clearest^ and absolutely 
best quality gut. Each racket is enclosed in a 
special quality mackintosh cover. Each, $8.00 

SPALDING "OLYMPIC" RACKET-DEPRESSED THROAT PIECE 

No. GML. This racket exemplifies what may be done in racket manufacture with perfect factory 
facilities. No frills, but with every up-to-date feature that has stood the test. Double strung in cen- 
tral portion, vellum wrapped, and wound at shoulders ; depressed walnut throat, with dogwood 
teinforcement. Handles 5. 5^ and 5Vs inches in circumference. Stringing of clearest best quality 
gut. Special quaUty mackintosh cover with each racket. Each, $8.00 

GUAR ANTEE— We guarantee Lawn Tennis Rackets for a period of 30 days from date of purchase 
by the user. The Guarantee Tag attached to each Spalding Lawn Tennis Racket reads as follows : 
If this Racket proves defective in workmanship or material within 30 days from date of purchase, 
please return, transportation charges prepaid, to any Spalding Store, and the defect will be rectified. 
Imperfectly strung Rackets will be restrung, and in the event of a broken frame due to workmanship 
or defective material, the racket will be replaced. 

NOTICE— This Guarantee does not apply to Rackets weighing less than 1 3 ounces. 



HACKETT AND 

ALEXANDER 

MODEL RACKET 

"PERFECT OVAL" 

DEPRESSED THROAT 

PIECE 
No. OGM. Made in the 
Spalding "Perfect Oval" 
Model, with walnut throat 
piece, dogwood teinforce- 
ment and vellum wrapped 
shoulders. A scientifically ,, e c 

perfect lawn tennis racket. Handles 5,5 
5% inches in circumference. Stringing of clearest 
and absolutely best quality gut. Enclosed in a 
special quality mackintosh cover. Each, $8.00 



PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

AOOIIESSEO TO US 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT £OVEH 

OF THIS BOO! 



J'ricet in effect January 5^?_15. Subje ct to chttnge withauUiatite. For Canadian price* »ee special Canadian CaUlogue, 



sSSuTE THE SPALDING 




TRADE-MARK^Kf^ 



Spalding Lawn Tennis Rackets 




No. 
GMB 

Patented 

Jan.S.'OSi 

June 12. 

1906. 



SPALDING "GOLD 
MEDAL" RACKET 

No. GMB. This racket is 
sold upon its.own reputation 
and the Spalding Guarantee 
is your assurance of satisfac- 
tion. Handles 5, 5/i and 
5% inches in circumference. 
Stringing of clearest and ab- 
eolutelybestqucJitygut. Tag 
attached to each racket, giv- 
ing particulars of special inspection. We use a 
dogwood insertion in shoulders, after prooving 
that it is far superior to cane or other material 
for the purpose. Without case. Each, $7.50 



No. 
GMF 

Patented 
March 6. 

1900; 
Jan.3,'05; 
June 12, 

1906-. 



SPALDING 

"ALL COMERS*" 

RACKET 

No. GMF. This racket is 
built for hard, continuous 
play. New model, large 
frame. Walnut throat piece. 
Shoulders _ wrappedT and 
with special side reinforce- 
ment of rawhide. Stringing 
is double in the central por- 
tion In the latest expert style. Handles 5, 5/^ 
and 5% inches in circumference. Stringing of 
best quality gut. Each racket is enclosed in a 
special quality mackintosh cover. Each, $8.00 



SPALDING "INTERNATIONAL" RACKET (Patented Jan. 3. 1905) 

No. GMS. Made after the suggestion of a player of international reputation. The few samples we 
put out for trial proved so satisfactory that we decided to add this model to our line for 1915. 
Straight bevel, large frame. Black throat piece; shoulders specially wrapped. Stringing is double 
in central portion, with black cross strings, all of best quality gut. Handles 5, 5% and 5Vs inches in 
circumference. Each racket enclosed in a special quality mackintosh cover. . . . Each, $8.00 
GUARANTEE.— We guarantee Lawn Tennis Rackets for a period of 30 days from date of purchase 
by the user. The Guarantee Tag attached to each Spalding Lawn Tennis Racket reads as follows : 
If this Racket proves defective in workmanship or material within 30 days from date of purchase, 

f)lease return, transportation charges prepaid, to any Spalding Store, and the defect will be rectified, 
mperfectly strung Rackets will be restrung, and in the event of a broken frame due to workmanship 
or defective material, the Racket will be replaced. 

NOTICE.— This Guarantee does not apply to Rackets weighing leas than 1 3 ounces. 



PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO I 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDRESSED TO US 



A. G. SPALDING <Sc BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 
SUINSIDE FRONT GOVEB 
Of THIS 8001 ) 



PricM is effect January 5, 1915. Subject •« cbsnge witbeut Dpe?«t_F«r CuMUw^ricw •ee tptcKtX CwMdiut Q^tMlnfH^ 



TE THE SPALDING 




TRADEMARK 



GUARANTEES 



Spalding Lawn Tennis Rackets 




■■■■■■■■■niiiiiiiiiiiB 
iinSiUiriiiiiliiiiSr 

m;:«l|iiii;itiii'5!|i 



No. 11 

Patented 
Mar. 6,'00 
Jan. 3;05 




Model GX. TKis Racket has tKe Gold 

Medal shape. Taped shoulders. Strung 

with best gut. Stringing is double in the centr^ 

portion in the popular expert style. . Each, $5.00 

Model DH. Hand made; gut stringing. Modeled after 
style used by two English players who were worid s champ- 
ions. Extra stringing in central portion. . . Each $5.00 
Model EH. Depressed walnut throat, with dogwood rein- 
forcement. Selected gut stringing. Shoulders wrapped with 

vellum .,.,-,.,• Each, $5.00 

No. 11. The Tournament. Taped shoulders; strung with 
good quality gut. Has special depressed throat-piece which 
we introduced originally in our No. OGM Hackett and 

Alexander Model .. Each. $4.00 

No. 8. TheSlocum. Oval shape, good quality frame, strung 
with special gut, double in central portion. Each, $3.50 
We urge that at the conclusion of play the Backet be rub- 
bed dry, and when not in use to be covered with a Water' 
proof Cover, placed in a Racket Press, and the gut occasion- 

ally gone over with Spalding Tennis Gut Preservative. 



No. 8 ^ 

Patented 
Mar. 6.*00 
Jan. 3/05 



PROMPT ATTENTICN GIVEN TO 
ANY COMMUNICATIONS 
^ ADDRESSED TO US 



A.G.SPALDING &, BROS 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR GOMPliTE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT GOVEIt 

OF THIS BOOK 



Price, in effect JanuMT j5. 1915. Subject to cUiig* %«U»«it noticir7F«rViiwlUB price, we jpocW C^hwUm C.ulogwe.; 



sSbstItute THE SPALDING 




QUALITY 



Spalding Lawn Tennis Rackets 



No.S 

Patented 
Jan. 3. '05 






^m^m 





No.4 

Patented 
Jan. 3. -05 



No. 5. The Lakeside. Frame of 

finest white ash, combed Spanish cedar 

handle. Good quedity gut stringing. Each, $3.00 

No. 6. The Nassau. Depressed throat. Each, $3.00 

No, 7. The Oval. The frame is oval shape, with extra 

stringing in central portion of racket. Stringing of good 

quality gut Each, $2.50 

No. 4. The Greenwood. Frame of finest selected white 
ash. with combed Spanish cedar handle. Stringing of good 

quality gut Each, $2.00 

No. 3. The Geneva. Frame of finest selected white ash. 

Stringing of good quality gut. Each, $1.50 

No. 2. The Favorite. White ash frame, well finished. 

Good quality gut stringing Each, $1.25 

We urge that at the conclusion of play the Racket be rubbed 

dry, and when not in use be covered with a WaterjJroof 

Cover, -placed in a Racket Press, and the gut occasionally 

gone over with Spalding Tennis Gut Preservative. 



No. 3 



PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO I 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDRESSEO TO US 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE UST OF STORES 
SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 
OF THIS ROOK ' 



■ Price* in effect JtMMTj 5. »91iS. .Subject Jo change without oeticQ, Fw CeMdian firicci. *ee ipecMl^CiiwdiiD Catalegu^. 



^S^Se THE SPALDING 




TRADE-MARK "^Sll^^ 



QUALITY 




No. 12 

Spalding Racket Covers 

(No. ^. Brown and mixed colored canvas cover, full size. 

Each, 35c 
No. 1. Soft felt cover, full size. . . ... '* 50c. 

No. GM. Good quality mackintosh material. Same exactly 

as vfe furnish with our Gold Medal Rackets. Each, $1.00 
No. 14. Canvas cover, neatly bound, with extra pocket to 

hold balls Each. $1.00 

No. 16. Well finished sheepskin, neatly bound. A very 

attractive cover . . . Each, 2.00 

(No. 5. Stiff leather, for one racket. ... " 6.00 

iNo. 7. Stiff leather, for two rackets. •" .■ . " 8.00 

English Leather Tennis- Bag 

No. 12. Made of special quality leather and with compart- 
ments to hold rackets, balls and suit. . . Each, $10.00 

Rackets Restrung 

We make a specialty of restringirig rackets of every known 
tnake. The work is done by our most scientific stringers, 
and none but first quality gut is used. When sending 
rackets to us to be restrung be sure to prepay charges on 
the package and mark with your name and address. Write us 
under separate cover full particulars regarding restringing. 
No. 1. Good quality Gut, White only. . . Each, $1.00 
No. 2.. Superior quality Gut, White only. . " 1.75 
No. 3. Best quality Gut, White only. ... " 2.50 
No. 4. Special Elxperf Stringing, White only. " 3.50 

Spalding Lawn Tennis Score Books 

Official Lawn Tennis Score Book, paper cover, 16 sets. 10c 
Ejitra Tennis Score Cards, 4 sets. .... Dozen, 10c 

Seccomb Grip Winder 

No. S. Rubber fabric, to wind around racket handle. Ea., 15c 



Spalding Racket Presses 

The rnost effective style presses in use to-day. Rackets should i 
be kept in press when not in use to prevent warping,' 
especially when exposed to moisture or used at the seashorcj 

No. IR. For one racket Each. $ .75 

No. 2R. For one racket. Nicely finished. . " 1.00' 
No. 5R. For one or two rackets. Finely polished walnut,^ 

with brass fittings. ......... Each, $2.56 

No. 1 5R. For six rackets. Brass £ttings, heavy constructioft,' 

special well finished walnut. . . . . . Each, $5.00' 

"Combination" Racket Press and Case. 

Patent Applied For 

No. CPC^ This is as the name suggests, both a press and a 

case under one cover. Case is made of best sole leather,' 

practically waterproof; press, which is fastened inside| 

case holds racket frame in shape. . < . Elach, $12.00; 

Spalding "Club" Racket Press 

Invaluable for Clabs Conducting Tournaments 

No. C-P. This is a most substantial affair and is arranged! 

for any number of rackets up to 24. The proper thing 

for clubs where it is necessary to keep a number of 

rackets in proper shape all the time. . . Elach, $2'5.00 

Rubber Handle Cover 

No. 3. For covering racket handles to secure a better grip; 
Rubber, special surface. ........ Each, 75^' 

Rubber Adhesive Tape for Racket 

Handle Grip 

No. AD. Made especially for this purpose, 1 inch w'tde^ 
Piece 4 feet long in individual box. . . . Elach,,10cJ 

Spalding Tennis Gut Preservative ( 

Apply immediately after playing, as it takes a little time to 
dry thoroughly. Two-ounce bottle of special quality preserv. 
ative, complete with good brush in box. . . Bottle, 25c 



PROMPT AnENTION GIVEN TO I 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDRESSEO TO US 



A.G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 

OF THIS mi 



Price* in cHect Januwy 5, 1915. Subject to change without notice For Canadian price* »ee fpecial Canadian Catologue. 



SsKe THE SPALDING 



TRADEMARK '^Klf 




Spalding ^'Eureka" Wet Tennis Markers 

Patented July 27, 1909 
For gra3S or dirt courts. Uses liquid water slaked lime. 
Makes clear cut line. No brushes to clog and wear. Sim- 
ple to operate. Flow of liquid under instant control. 

No. 10. Vertical; small tank Each, $10.00 

No. 25. Horizontal; for club use; large tank. " 25.00 

Spalding Improved "Wet Spray" Tennis Marker 

For GraBB Courts Only 
No. X. Simple, but effective. Flow of liquid under instant 
control from handle. Makes an even line of uniform width 
No ribbon; liquid flows directly on wheel. Elach, $6.00 

Spalding Dry Tennis Markers 

For Dirt Courts Only 
No. 3. No mixing of material. Uses marble dust and slaked 

lime, etc. Made substantially of iron, nicely japanned. 

The best dry tennis marker made. . . Each, $2.00 

No. 2. Same as No. 3, but smaller size and lighter 

material. . Each. $1.00 

Spalding Portable Marking Tapes 

No. 3. For Single Court, 100 staples and pins. Set, $3.50 
No. 4. For Double Court, 200 staples and 14 pins. " 4.00 
No. 6. For Double Court, extra quality canvas, complete 

with 200 staples and 14 pins. Per set, $6.00 

No. S. Extra Staples. - r' . Per 100. .50 

Spalding Marking Plates 

For permanently marking the angles of a court. Made of 
malleable iron and painted white. A set consists of eight 
corner and two.'T-pieces. ^ 
No. 1. WitK'separate pills. -^.^• 

K' o. \V7;.L j.'i'^J • ^^- - L-J 



Spalding "Newport" Scoring Tree 

A most useful scoring device and practically indispensable 
for any cliib conducting important tournaments. Substait. 
tially made and complete with everything necessary ior 
announcing progress of games and sets. 
No. N. "Newport" Scoring Tree. . Complete, $25.00 

Spalding "Umpire" Chair 

No. 1. Same style as used at Newport and at all important 
tournaments. Complete with awning. . Each, $20.00 

Spalding Tether Tennis Game 

No. 1. Tether Tennis Ball and Cord (regular tennis ball 
with twine knitted cover) Each, Sl.OO 

No. 2. Tether Pole, 14 feet " . l".75 

No. TP. Tether Pole, 12 feet above ground. Galvanized 
steel pole. Made specially for playground use. Ea., $10.00 

No. 5. Marking Ropes for circle and dividing line, with 
staples. Per set, $1.00 

Spalding "Patent Angle" Steel Measuring 
Tapes 

Especially adapted for laying out tennis courts and all kinds 
of athletic fields. With this tape one person can easily 
secure accurate right angles, yet the tape is equal to any 
other for straight measuring also. Enclosed in hard leather 
case, flush handles with patent automatic handle opener; 
all mountings nickel-plated. Accuracy guaranteed. 



No. 2: With Wedge pins attached. . . 



Per set, $1.00 
1.50 



50 feet^, 
100 feet. - 



Each, $4.00 
•• • 6.75 



PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO I 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDRESSED TO US 



A. G. SPALDING &, BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 

OF THIS BOOK 



1 



Price, in effect January 5, 1915. . Subject to iiuuige witb^it iiotice. For Oinadian price, .ee .peci«l Canadian Catalogue. 



SmeTHE SPALDING 



QUALITY 



Spa^ldinig' Temms Nets 




"^M^^^^ 



M^ 



No. 3-A. Machine Made Net Showing also No. C Post* 



' Spalding '"Championship" Tarred Nets— Hand Made 
For tournament play. Furnished with extra heavy galvan- 

ized wire cable. Extra heavy duck binding at top. 
No. 9-0. 42 ft. 6 in. x 3'X ft., 30 thread. . Each, $12.00 
i No, 8-0. 33 ft. X 3 Ji: ft.. 30 thread. ... " 10.00 



Spalding Tarred Nets— Hand Made 

Bound with 10 oz. duck at top. With galvanized wire cable. 
No. 7-0. 42 ft. 6 in. x 3X ft.. 21 thread. . Each, SIO.OO 
No. 6-0. 33 ft. x3;i^ ft.. 21 thread. ... •• 9.00 



Spalding Double Center Nets— Hand Made 

Double twine knitted together from 20 td 26 feet 

White, 21 Thread, Double Court 
No. 3D. 42 ft. X 3 ft., double center 26 feet. Each, $6.50 
Wo. 2D. 36 ft. X 3 ft., double center 20 feet. " 6.00 

White, 1 5 Thread, Double Court 
No. 3C. 42 ft. X 3 ft., double center 26 feet Each, $5.50 
No. 2C. 36 ft. X 3 ft., double center 20 feet " 5.00 



Spalding Canvas Bound Nets— Hand Made 
NOT Double Center. Top bound with heavy 2-inch canvas strip 
No.-3B. Double Court 42 ft. x 3 ft., 2 1 thread, white. Ea.. $5.00 
Mo.2B. DoubleCourt36ftx3ft.,2lthread,white. " 4.50 



Spalding Black Twine Club Nets— Hand Made 
Dyed with fast coloring matter which adds to their durability? 
Bound at top with a doubled band of 8 oz. white duck, 2 inJ 
wide. Heavy tarred manila ropes top and bottom. EacK 

No. 5-0. 42 ft x3;i ft., 30 thread, single center. . . $8.00 
No. 4.-0. 36 ft X 3 >4 ft, 30 thread, single center. . . 7.50 
No. 3-0. 42 ft x3X^ ft, 2 1 thread, double center 26 ft 8.0O 
No. 2-0. 36ft x3X ft, 21 thread, double center 20 ft 7.50 



Galvanized Steel Cable for Top Cords 

.Full length X-'"<^h galvanized steel cable, five strands of 
seven wires each, twisted tightly. With- metal loop at eacl> 
end and manila rope ends to fasten to post Each, $2.00 ' 



Spalding Machine Made Nets 

Top bound with heavy 2-inch canvas strip. (White) 

No. 4A. Dduble Court 42 ft, 21 thread. . Each, $3.50 

No. 21A. Double Court 36 ft.k 21 thread. . " 3.25 

No. 3 A. Double Court 42 ft, 15 thread. . " 2.03 

No. 2 A. Double Court, 36 ft., 15 thread. . " 1.7S 

Top and bottom bound with heavy cotton rope. (White) 

No. 3. Double Court 42 ft.. 15 thread. . . Each, $1.50 

No. 2. Double Court 36 ft., 15 thread. . . " l^S 

No. 1. Single Court, 27 ft, 12 thread. . . " 1.00 

Spalding Twine Nets for Backstops— Machine Made 

No. 4. White. 50 feet long, 7 feet high, 9 thread. Each. $2.50 
No. 5. White, 50 feet long. 8 feet high. 12 thread. •• 3.50 
No. 5X. Tarred, 50 feet long, 8 feet high, 1 2 thread. " 4.00 



PROMPT ATTENTION GIVEN TO 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDRESSED TO US 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE tIST Of STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 

OF THIS BOOK 



Prices in effect January 5, 19 J 5. Subject to change without notice. For (^nadian prices see special Canadian Catalogue,/ 



^S^Ke THE SPALDING 



TRADEMARK °K?v^^i 



QUALITY 




J 

No. 
PR 



No^tf 



SPALDIHG TEHHIS POSTS 

Spfclding "Championship" Tennis Post* Spalding "Tournament" Tennis PosU Spafding"Anchored"SteelTennisPo«ta) 

In use on the courts of the most prom- These posts are fitted with a tightening Po^ts of galvanized steel tubing, 2}i 

inent dubs in this country. arrangement that is business-like and inches m diameter, are held securely to 

Uprights of heavy 2-inch japanned steel effective in the extreme; no doubt place by anchor stakes dnven through 

tubing, go 24 inches into ground and each about the top rope being taut when the sockets on the sides of the post^ The 

equipped with wheel at top. Ratchet arm drops into the slot. A new prin- post reliable and rigid method of fasten- 

fot tightening net has a particularly ciple has been utilized also in the cut- »ng upright posts permanently that ha* 

strong leverage. ting end and the angle brace to hold ever been brought to our attention. 

Triple claw clutches, made of heavy the posts absolutely rigid. Heavy black One post fitted with tigMening ratchet 

•wrought iron, hold posts firm with no enamel finish throughout. No. AP. Pair, $12.00 

shifting or shaking and the tighter the net No. AA. Pair. $10.00 Spalding Tennis Poles 

is drawn the more rigid the posts become. Spalding "Casino" Tennis PosU No. E, Finely polished, solid, spiked.' 

No. A. Pair. $20.00 Heavy square wood posts, painted red Complete, guy ropes and pegs. Pair. $2.0* 

o ij- «/-! VT • o .^ and nicely varnished and striped. Wheel No. FX. New design, nicely pamted. 

Spalding Club Tenms Po«t» ^^ ^^^ ^j ^^^^ p^^^j ^^j ,^^1 attached to Complete, with guy ropes and special 

Best quality 2M^.inch square ash, nicely- one post. ELxtra heavy japanned iron won pegs. ...... Pair, $1.50 

polished and varmshed. Lquippedwith brackets to steady posts, which extend Reels for Tennis Posts 
iapamied braces and extend 30 inches 3Q j„j.jjgg ^^^^ the ground. No. A. With this reel we furnish a 
into the ground. Extra heavy^ brass No. C. Pair, $7.50 Ratchet tightening device of strongest 
ratchet is made after an English design, Spalding Indoor Tennis Posts possible construction andclosest adjust- 
and .3 the same as supplied by our n^. ^g^ Hefvy c^srings useTf or bases of ment. Nothingbettermadefor the pur- 
London House to some of the best clubs [;;°sl post^^re 3uffifiently weighty to pose This is the reel we furnish on 



in Great Britain. 

No.B. Pair. $10.00 



hold them secure without fastening to our No A tennis posts. . Each. $7.5» 

floor. For use particularly in armories No. WG. Automatic locking reel, with- 

Spalding Tennis PosU and halls where the floors must be kept out ratchet. Turned in cither direction 

ijpaiainK •eniu» r«.» •. in nerfect condition. Pair* 10.00 «el is locked at moment of release. N» 

Square posts of wood.handsomely paint. »" P"*,^^* '^°"°'"°"; *„ '_. ^ P ♦. slacking; extremely durable. Whenor- 

ed. Wheel at top of each post and reel Spalding "Side-Line" Tennis PosU j^ring, mention whether to be used-on' 

fastened to one post; japanned iron To put net at the proper height for a single .^^00^ q, j^on 003(3 , Each $5 00 

bracket braces to steady posts, which court game without takmg down net or j^^^ Regulation^tyle, japanned finish. 

extend 24 inches into the ground, removing regular double court.posU. ^^^Jen handle. . . . Each. $1.50, 

No. DR. Pair, $6.00 No. SL. Pair. 75,^ p^,,^^^ ^^^ ^^,^^ 

^ „ i. *^*"''*' S^J'*"" S*™?'. u-u Iron Center Forks ^ No. O. Japanned pulleys, complete with 

No.l!o."°'te'^nTch1f'2^v\'^:^^T^^^^^^^^^ 

sibly cause the ball io glance off and strike out "'^"' **'"" Guy Ropes and Pegs for Tennis NeU 

of court Each. $1.00 Spalding No. 1. Cotton ropes, plain pegs. Set. 2Sc. 

No. 3-0. Tournament Pattern, same as No. 2-0, Wood Backstop Post No. 2. Cotton ropes, plain pegs. " 50c 

except fitted with a tum-buckle, with which No. BS. Backstop. Post only ; No. 3. Cotton ropes, fancy pegs. " 85c. 
heightof netcanbeadjustedtoahair. Ea..$1.2S '.. wooden, . -•' Each, $1.25 (No, 3 will answer for Backstop Aeu.) 



AnENTIONGIVENTOj 
ANY COMMUNICATIONS 
ADDRESSED TO US 



A. G.SPALDING &. BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



COMPLETE LIST Of STORES 
: INSIDE FRONT COVER 
OF THIS BOOK 



Prices ID effect January 5, 1915. Subject to change^without notice;^ For Canadian prices »ee epecisl Canadian Catalogue. ' 




Women's "Coverley'^ 
Tennis Wear 

Linen Suits $22.50 

Linen Skirts 9.00 

White Corduroy (wash). . . . 10.00 
White Pique Skirts 6.00 

TENNIS SHIRTS. 

China Silk $8.00 

Cheviot 3.00 

Linen 2.50 

TENNIS HATS. 

White Corduroy $3.00 

White Flannel 1.50 

White Duck 1.25 

SPORT SUITS. 

Custom-made, imported homespuns, 
tweeds and sport suitings, $55 to $80. 

Sport Skirts, made to measure in 
above materials, $22.50 up. 

Sport Hats, in White Corduroy, 
Leghorn, Madagascar and Split straws, 
$3 to $6. 

Sport Shoes, for Tennis, Golf, 
Yachting and the Out-of-Doors. 




BETWEEN FORTY-THIRD AND FORTY-FOURTH STREETS NEW YORK 



Men's "Coverley" Tennis Wear 

White Flannel Trousers $5.00 

White Flannel Trousers, imported . . . 12.00 

White Tennis Socks, pair 60 to $1.50 

Solid color Tennis Socks, pair 1.00 

Fancy Tennis Socks, pair .... $1.75 to 2.50 
Tennis Shirts, short or long sleeves $1.50 to 3.00 
Club Ties, imported Irish poplin .... 1,50 

Club Ties, knitted silk 1.50 

Belts, white calf 1.50 

Belts, black or tan 1.25 

Imported Sweaters, Shetland . . $5.50 to 10.00 
Imported Sweaters, Angora . . . $14 to 27.50 

Blazers, solid colors 7.50 

Sport Coats, Jersey cloth 12.50 

Sport Coats, Connemara homespun $12.50 to 25.00 
Sport Coats, Harris tweeds and Shetlands . 27.50 
White Blanket Tennis Coats, long .... 28.00 

Cactus Hats 5.00 

Caps $1.50 to 3.50 

Hats, white canvas, green lined brim or plain .50 

Hats, pongee, soft finish 1.00 

Hats, white flannel, very popular .... 1.50 
Shoes, high, black leather, regulation spikes 6.00 
Shoes, high, drab calf, best red rubber soles 5.00 
Shoes, canvas, extra heavy rubber soles, pair 2.25 
Sun Glasses, special design ...... 10.00 




BETWEEN FORTY-THIRD AND FORTY-FOURTH STREETS. NEW YORK 



S[t[|?e THE SPALDING 



Spaldimg' 'L&.wn. Teminis Slioes 




(Ko, BBH. HigK cut, black, finest quality kangaroo uppers, 
special quality white oak solea and spring heels, with 
■officially approved blunt spikes in soles and heels. 
Sewed welt. Ideal shoes for tennis on turf courts. Used 
by champion tennis players Pair. $6.00 

No. CH. High cut, best while canvas,- fine quality red 
rubber flat soles. • Sewed welt. . .... Pair, $4.50 

Np. CS. .Low cut. best white canvas, fine quality while 
oak soles, with blunt spikes. Good, for either tennis or 
cricket. Pair, $4.00 

No. C. Low cut, best white canvas, fine quality red rubber 
flat soles. Excellent yachting shoes. . . . Pair, $3.50 

No. BC. High cut. best white canvas, laced very low. 
Perforated red rubber soles. Also good for g°'f "' 
yachting Pa"' $3.50 



No. AH 




No. AH. High cut, tan calf, with best red rubber flaj 
soles. SeWed welt and absolutely best grade material 
throughout • . Pa.r.*6.00 

Our Sprinting Basket Ball Shoes. No. BBS. with extra heavy rubber 
soles, are excellent also for lawn tennis. 

No A. Low cut, tan calf, with best red rubber flat soles. 
Sewed welt, Qyality same as No. AH. . . Pair. $5.50 

No D. Low cut, white canvas, red rubber flat soles. 
Supplied in C. D and E widths only. No special orders. 
These shoes are not guaranteed.-^ . 



Pair. $1.50 



«%r 1 c— iJ- t>..KK», g-i^J Tennis Golf and Squasfi'Shoes. The work is done in the Spalding Shoe Factorr* 

Sherr^e fh^ot^'^^^^aSe" ^^^"ton.HT^ th\t other manufacturers are unable to offer. Send .hoe. Xo 
Aearest A. G. Spalding & Bros.' .tor*. 



PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO I 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDRESSED TO US 



A. G.SPALDING &. BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 




Price, in effect January 5. 1915. Subject to change without notice. For Canadian price, .ee .pecial Canadian Catalogue, 



KTHE SPALDING 



iPALlDING 



NEW ATMLETIC 



The following selection of items from Spalding's latest Catalogue will give 
an idea of the great variety of ATHLETIC GOODS manufactured by 
A. G. SPALDING & BROS. •.-. •.-. SEND FOR A FREE COPY. 

SEE COMPLETE LIST OF SPALDING STORE ADDRESSES ON INSIDE FRONT COVER OF THIS BOOK 



Archery 
Ash Bars 
Athletic Library 
Aktachm'is. Chest Weight 

Backstops. Tennis 

Bathing Suit 

Caddy 

Cricket 

Striking 



Basket 

Cricket 

Field Hockey 

Golf 

Hand 

IndoOT 

Medicine 

Playground 

Squash 

Tennis 

Volley 

Water Polo 
Ball Cleaner, Golf 
Bandages, Elastic 
Bar Bells 
Bars. Horizontal 
Bases- 
Base Ball 

Indoor 
Bathing Suits 

Bats- 
Base Ball 
Cricket 
Indoor 

Batting Cage, Base-Ball 

Leather and Worsted 
Bladders - 

Basket Ball 

Striking Bag 
Blades. Fencing 



Caddy Badges 

Caps- 
Base Ball 
Knitted 
University 
Water Polo 

Center Fork?, Iron 

Center Straps. Canvas 

Chest Weights 

Circle. Seven-Foot 

Clock Golf 

Corks. Running 

Covers. Racket 

Cricket Goods 

Croquet Goods 

Cross Bars 

Discs- 
Marking. Golf 
Discus. Olympic 
Disks. Striking Bag 
Pumb Bells 



Emblems 
Embroidery 
Equestrian Polo 
Exercisers. Elastic 



Finger Protection 
Flags- 

Colleg. 

Marking Golf 
Foils. Fencing 



Glasses. Base Ball Sutt 

Base Ball 

Boxing 

Cricket 

Gol?'"' 
Hand Ball . 

Glove Softener 

Goals- 
Basket Ball 

Golf Ball Washer 

Golf Clubs 

Golf Counters 

Golfette 

Athletic 

Golf 
Gut Preservative. Tenn 
Guy Ropes and Pegs 
Gym'm Suits, Women's 



Hammers, Athletic. 
Handle Cover. Rubber 
Hangers for Indian Clubt 
Hats. University 
Health Pull 
Hob Nails 
Hole Cutter. Golf 
Hole Rim. Golf 
Home Gyn 
Hurdles, Safety 
Hurley Goods 



Indian Clubs 
Inflaters- 
Striking Bag 



Jackets. Fencing 

Tavelins 

Jerseys 



Lacrosse 

I for Sprint* 



Leg GuarJs- 

Base Ball 

Cricket 

Field Hockey 
Leotxtds 
Letters 

Embroidered 

Felt 
Uniment 



Mallets- 
Cricket 
Croquet 
Equestrian "Polo 

Markers- 
Tennis 
Golf 

Masks- 
Base Ball 
Fencing 

Mattresses 

Megaphone* 

Mitts- 
Base Ball 
Striking Bag 

Monograms 

Mufflers. Knitted 



Nets- 
Cricket 
Golf Driving 

VoTleyBall 
N'ewcomb 
Numbers. Competitors' 



Pads- 
Chamois. Fencini 
Sliding. B, - 



LCins 
Ball 



Pennants. College 
Plastrons. Fencing 
Plates - 

Base Ball Shoe 

Home 

Marking. Tennis 

Pitchers' Box 

Pitchers' Toe 

Teeing. Golf 
Platforms. Sinking Bag 
Poles. Vaulting 
Polo. Equestnan 
Polo. Roller. Goods 
Posts- 
Backstop. Tennis 

Lawn TconJs 



Base Ball Bruise 
Indoor Base Ball 
Thumb_ 
>ulleys and Axle. Te 

Push Ball 

Pushers- 
Chamois 
Leather 

Puttees, Golf 



Racket Covers 
Racket Presses 
Rackets. Lawn Tennis 
Rackets Restrung 
Racks. Golf Ball 
Rapiers 

Reels for Tennis Posts 
Referees' Whistle 
Rings- 

Elxercising 

Swinging 

Rowing Machines . 



Quoit* 



Sacks, for Sack Racing 
Sandow Dumb Bells 
Score Books- 
Base Ball 

Basket Ball 

Cncket 

Golf 

Tennis 
Score Tablets. Base Ball 
Scoring Tree. Tennis 
Shirts- 
Athletic 

Base Ball 

Training 
Shoes- 
Acrobatic 

Base Ball 

Basket Ball 

Bowling - 

Clog 

Cricket 

Cross Country 

Field Hockey 

Fencing 

Golf 

Gymnasium 

Jumping 

Running 

Squash 

Street 

Tennis 

Walking 



SKot- 
Athletic 
Indoor 

Skate Roller. 

Skates. Roller 

Slippers. Bathing 

Squash Goods 

Standards- 
Vaulting 
Volley Ball 

Straps- 
Base Ball 
For Three-Legged RaCV 

Spikes, Cricket 

Steel Cable. Tennis Net 

Sticks, Polo 

Stop Boards 

Striking Bag» 

Stumps ana Bails 

Suits— 
Gymna'm, Women** 
Swimming 

Supporters — 
Ankle 
Wrist 

Suspensories 

Sweat Band 

Sweaters 

Swivels, Striking Bag 

Swords- 
Duelling 
Fencing 



Take-Off Board 

Tape- 
Adhesive 
Cricket, Measuring 
Marking. Tennis 
Measuring Steel 

Tees. Golf 

Tether Tennis 

Tights- 
Athletic 
Full 

Full, WresUina 
Knee 

Toe Boards 

TJoSwfa, Y.M.CA 

Trunks- 
Bathing 
Velvet 
Worsted 

Tug-of-War Belt 



Umpir 
Unifor 



Wands. Calisthenic 
Watches. Stop 
Water Wings 
Weights. 56-lb. 
Whistles. Referees- 
Wrestling Equipment 
Wrist Machines 



PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDRESSED TO US 



A. G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST Of STORES 
SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 
OF THIS BOOK ' 



Price* in effect January 5, 1915. Subject to change without notice. For Canadian prices *ee *pecial Canadian CaUlogue. , 



standard Policy 



A Standard Quality must be inseparably linked to a Standard Policy. 

Without a definite and Standard Mercantile Policy, it is impossible for a 
Manufacturer to long maintain a Standard Qyality. 

To market his goods through the jobber, a manufacturer must provide a 
profit for the jobber as well as for the retail dealer. To meet these conditions 
of Dual Profits, the manufacturer is obliged to set a proportionately high list 
price on his goods to the consumer. 

To enable the glib salesman, when booking his orders, to figure out 
attractive profits to both the jobber and retailer, these high list prices are 
absolutely essential ; but their real purpose will have been served when the 
manufacturer has secured his order from the jobber, and the jobber has secured 
his order from the retailer. 

However, these deceptive high list prices are not fair to the consumer, who 
does not, and, in reality, is not ever expected to pay these fancy list prices. 

When the season opens for the sale of such goods, with their misleading 
but alluring high list prices, the retailer begins to realize his responsibilities, and 
grapples with the situation as best he can, by offering "special discounts," 
which vary with local trade conditions. 

Under this system of merchandising, the profits to both the manufacturer 
and the jobber are assured ; but as there is no stability maintained in the prices 
to the consumer, the keen competition amongst the local dealers invariably 
leads to a demoralized cutting of prices by which the profits of the retailer are 
practically eliminated. 

This demoralization always reacts on the manufacturer. The jobber insists 
on lower, and still lower, prices. The manufacturer, in his turn, meets this 
demand for the lowering of prices by the only way open to him, viz.: the cheap- 
ening and degrading of the quality of his product. 

The foregoing conditions became so intolerable that 1 6 years ago, in 1 899, 
A. G. Spalding & Bros, determined to rectify this demoralization in the Athletic 
Goods Trade, and inaugurated what has since become known as " The Spalding 
Policy." 

"The Spalding Policy" eliminates the jobber entirely, so far as Spalding 
Goods are concerned, and the retail dealer secures the supply of Spalding 
Athletic Goods direct from the manufacturer by which the retail dealer is 
assured a fair and legitimate profit on all Spalding Athletic Goods, and the 
consumer Is assured a Standard Qyality and is protected from imposition. 

"The Spalding Policy" is decidedly for the interest and protection of the 
users of Athletic Goods, and acts in two ways : 

First— The user is assured of genuine Official Standard Athletic Goods. 

Second.— As manufacturers, we can proceed with confidence in 
purchasing at the proper time, the very best raw materials required 
in the manufacture of our various goods, well ahead of their 
respective seasons, and this enables us to provide the necessary 
quantity and absolutely maintain the Spalding Standard of Qyality. 

All retail dealers handling Spalding Athletic Goods are requested to supply 
consumers at our regular printed catalogue prices— neither rnore nor less— the same 
prices that similar goods are sold for in our New York, Chicago and other stores. 

All Spalding dealers, as well as users of Spalding Athletic Goods, are treated 
exactly alike, and no special rebates or discriminations are allowed to anyone. 
• This briefly, is "The Spalding Policy," which has already been in successful 
operation for the past 16 years, and will be Indefinitely continued. 

In other words, "The Spalding Policy" is a "square deal' for everybody. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 



By 



An article that is universally given the appellation "Standard" is thereby 
conceded to be the criterion, to which are compared all other things of a similar 
nature. For instance, the Gold Dollar of the United States is the Standard Unit 
of currency, because it must legally contain a specific proportion of pure gold, 
and the fact of its being Genuine is guaranteed by the Government Stamp 
thereon. As a protection to the users of this currency against counterfeiting and 
other tricks, considerable money is expended in maintaining a Secret Service 
Bureau of Experts. Under the law. citizen manufacturers must depend to a 
great extent upon Trade-Marks and similar devices to protect themselves against 
counterfeit products— without the aid of "Government Detectives" or "Public 
Opinion" to assist them. 

Consequently the "Consumer's Protection" against misrepresentation and 
"inferior quality" rests entirely upon the integrity and responsibihty of the 
" Memuf acturer." 

A. G. Spalding & Bros, have, by their rigorous attention to "Quality." for 
thirty-nine years, caused their Trade-Mark to become known throughout 
the world as a Guarantee of Qyality as dependable in their field as the 
U. S. Currency is in its field. 

The necessity of upholding the Guarantee of the Spalding Trade-Mark and 
maintaining the Standard Qyality of their Athletic Goods, is. therefore, as obvi- 
ous as is the necessity of the Government in maintaining a Standard Currency. 
Thus each consumer is not only insuring himself but also protecting other 
consumers when he assists a Reliable- Manufacturer in upholding his Trade- 
Mark and all that it stands for. Therefore, we urge all users of our Athletic 
Goods to assist us in maintaining the Spalding Standard of Excellence, by 
insisting that our Trade-Mark be plainly stamped on all athletic goods which 
they buy. because without this precaution our best efforts towards maintaining 
Standard Qyality and preventing fraudulent substitution will be ineffectual. 

Manufacturers of Standard Articles invariably suffer the reputation of being 
high-priced, and this sentiment is fostered and emphasized by makers of 
"inferior- goods." with whom low prices are the main consideration. 

A manufacturer of recognized Standard Goods, with a reputation to uphold 
and a guai'emtee to protect must necessarily have higher prices than a manufac- 
turer of cheap goods, whose idea of and basis of a claim for Standard Quality 
depends principally upon the eloquence of the salesman. 

We know from experience that there is no quicksand more unstable than 
in quality—and we avoid this quicksand by Standard Quality. 




f^^^^^ 




ATHLETIC Lib A?5! r ''^ " ♦ 



A separate book covers every Athletic Sport 

and is Official and Standard 

Price 10 cents each 



GRAND PRIZE 




GRAND PRI X 



KiE^ai 



PARIS, 19 00 



ST. LOUIS. 1904 ^ Jr Jr\. JL/ 1/ 1 JW VJ PARIS 1900 

ATHLETIC GOODS 

ARE THE STANDARD OF THE WORLD 



AG. Spalding^ Bros 



MAINTAIN Wl 



lETAIL store: 



FOLLOWlN( 



NEW YORK CHICAGO ST-LOUIS 

BOSTON MILWAUKEE KANSAS CITY 

PHILADELPHIA DETROIT SAN FRANCISCO 

NEWARK CINCINNATI LOSANGELEJ 

ALBANY CLEVELAND SEATTLE 

BUFFALO COLUMBUS SALT LAKE CITY 

SYRACUSE ROCHESTER INDIANAPOLIS PORTLAND 

BALTIMORE WASHINGTON PITT$ BURGH Ml NNEAPOLI S 



LONDON. ENGLAND / 

LI VE RPOOL. ENGLAND 

BIRMINGHAM. ENGLAND ^ 
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND 
BRISTOL. ENGLAND > 
EDINBURGH. SCOTLAND 
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND 

Factories avned and operated by A.G.Spaldii 
Tro de - ^c rk cd\ Athletic Goods orr made ar 



ATLANTA ST. PAUL 

LOUISVILLE DENVER 
) NEW ORLEANS DALLAS 

MONTREAL. CANADA 
J TORONTO, CANADA 

,AND PARIS, FRANCE 

.AND SYDNEY. AUSTRALIA 

Spaldmy & Bros:, and v^here ell of Spalding's 
lode are located in the foUov^i na ci t le s 



KEWYOKtL CHICAGO^ SABT FRANCISCO CHICOPEE, MASS. 
BROOKLYN BOSTON PHILADELPHIA liONDON, ENG. 



